Post # 1
Member
218 posts
Helper bee
So I don’t want to sound rude, but I need to vent a little.
Where I work, we have employee housing and most people who work there don’t have a car (somewhat common in seasonal work). There are employee shuttles who coincide with shifts and take people to/from work. I have a car and nearly every morning before work and evening after work I have people asking me for rides. I always say yes, because we’re all going to the same place and it’s not like I’m wasting gas or being inconvenienced. But I love the time I have to myself in my car-my job is really stressful and especially after work I use that time to decompress. When others are riding with me I always feel the need to make small talk and I just hate it because I never get any “me” time. Privacy isn’t a common thing in employee housing. I don’t want to say “no” when someone asks for a ride, because how could I do that without looking like a b word? I have even been like “well I have a few errands to run first” and they’ve never cared and are like “that’s fine, I don’t mind”. It’s frustrating, because these are my coworkers and I dont want to make things awkward. HELP!
Post # 2
Member
438 posts
Helper bee
I think you can leave it at “Sorry, I have somethings to do on the way home, alone”. Especially if there are other pre-arranged ways home it doesn’t make you a bad person to not want to be everyones taxi.
Post # 3
Member
2917 posts
Sugar bee
Yeah, I think you just have to flat out shut them down. “Sorry, I can’t today”. You really don’t owe anyone an explanation as to why you can’t give them a ride. Just keep it short and say it with a nice tone, don’t open it up for conversation or you’ll likely get guilted in to giving in (I know I probably would).
Post # 4
Member
13590 posts
Honey Beekeeper
If you’re anything like me, you’re going to feel like a b*tch even if you’re not being one. Like PPs said, just say you can’t with no excuses and make a bee-line to your car!
Post # 5
Member
6566 posts
Bee Keeper
I would prob give rides TO work, but coming home I’d start making lots of dinner dates with family and friends lol. I’d probably start saying “Sorry, cant!” and if they ask, “meeting someone after work” kinda thing.
I totally get not wanting to make it awkward though. If they say “I dont mind” Id follow up with “sorry, I really cant.” and just leave it at that. Really THEY are being the rude ones.
Post # 6
Member
4083 posts
Honey bee
newgirldee : Maybe just give rides only once in awhile if you’re worried about being a “B”? Then most of the time, just tell them what others have suggested here?
Post # 7
Member
1271 posts
Bumble bee
Maybe say Sorry that you won’t be able to give a ride since you signed up for gym classes after work and are going there right away
Post # 8
Member
3436 posts
Sugar bee
- Wedding: April 2017 - City, State
If you live in employee housing where they provide transportation, I would just take the shuttle to work for like, two weeks. Then when people ask you can just be like, “Sorry, took the shuttle.” After a while people will think that’s your new mode of transportation and they’ll find someone else to bother about rides. If you do need to drive, I would just start saying you have things to do in the morning, like going to the gym (or after works as well) and you don’t want to risk getting them to work late (or in the case of after work, you are going straight somewhere else)
Failing all that, just tell people you are unavailable and don’t provide a reason. They aren’t entitled to one.
Post # 9
Member
2812 posts
Sugar bee
Is there any way you could tweak your work schedule or what you do after work? Like is there a gym nearby that you could start going to? Or start going for a drink/snack/coffee to unwind after work or something.. If not, would it be better to take the shuttle yourself? At least then you could pop in headphones or read a book.
If none of those work, i’d just tell them “Sorry, I have a bunch of stuff I have to do on my way home” Don’t leave the option for “that’s ok, I don’t mind!”
Post # 10
Member
56 posts
Worker bee
fill your car with boxes so they have nowhere to sit hahaha
Post # 11
Member
4495 posts
Honey bee
It is certainly your right to drive, but curiosity begs me to ask if you are just going straight home after work a lot of the time, why you wouldn’t take the very convenient shuttle that takes you there? If the shuttles are conveniently timed for shifts, I guess I would just take the shuttle except on days I plan to run errands after work. And even if people try to hone in on your errands, just be vague about it and let them know that you don’t have a plan and wanted to be free to be on your own schedule.
Either that or just learn to be honest. “I know this sounds weird, but after a hard day at work I just want to decompress by myself and enjoy the drive home. It’s my me time and I really don’t like having company during that time. I hope you’ll understand.”
Post # 12
Member
580 posts
Busy bee
happilyevergordon : lmao this is the best suggestion so far.
“can’t, my car is full of boxes i’m putting in storage”
two weeks later
“sorry, can’t, haven’t got around to the storage unit yet”
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